Discussion #2: Enable

Deaf people and sign language are sometimes displayed by the media. For this blog posting, I want you to view how the media protrays Deaf people. I have selected three commericals. These commericals all use sign language as their primary communication method. I want you to watch there commercials and think about what message they are sending about Deaf Culture and Deaf people. Do you feel these commericals show the strengths of Deaf people and their language? Who were these commercials for? Did they reach both the hearing world and deaf world? Which commerical do you think protrayed the best image of Deaf people and their culture? Which do you think protrayed the worst? Support your responses. Watch the Pepsi commercial "Bob's House", the Chinese Pantene Commercial and the Thailand Toothpaste commerical (located on the youtube links to the right). For the Thailand Commerical view http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeAhnagJdcA and for the Chinese Pantene Commerical view http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opOQlA0LVqo Which of these commercials do you feel are based on Deaf folklore. In Deaf folklore being deaf allows the person to triumph or succeed. As a result of their deafness they are able to overcome an obstacle. How does this commercial portray that being Deaf allows triumph rather than defeat?

Discussion: Audism

Have you ever wondered why a Deaf person wouldn't want to hear? Have you thought, given the opportunity, they should do whatever they can to become hearing? Did you know that this is called "audism," and is considered a form of discrimination? Audism can be placed with sexism and racism, among others. Watch the PBS clip entitled, "Audism" (use "Through Deaf Eyes" web link provided on blog, after accessing that link, click on "video clips." It is the last clip on the video clips list). What can you do to change your thinking and not engage in audism? Most importantly, now that you are aware, how can you educate others about audism?

Discussion: Deaf Art

Read this quote a couple of times and reflect on what the author's message is. After you ponder on what the author's message is, think about what the quote means to you. Express your thoughts and ideas.

Blog Discussion #1-Music Videos with ASL Translations

For this blog discussion, listen to the songs, "Waiting for the World to Change" by John Mayer and "Beautiful" by Christina Aguilera. Think about your feeling of the message being sent. Now watch and listen to the music videos, Beautiful and Waiting for the World to Change, by Deaf Performing Artist Network. ("Waiting for the World to Change" can be accessed directly on the right through the YouTube link.  To access "Beautiful," you will need to click on the D-Pan weblink to view it through their homepage.) As you watch these videos look for the cultural message that the signers and the Deaf community are trying to portray. Why do you think that this song was selected to be sign language interpreted? After watching the interpretation, how has the song message changed for you? What other culture could use this song to send their message to the majority and why?